Category Archives: Current

Crystals: Why?

Posted on December 4, 2009 by David McKee

Spare. That’s the word I’d use to describe Crystals, which opened yesterday. Having been in a self-imposed cone of deafness, I wasn’t exposed to any of the opening-day press. Thus, I came to Crystals last night as a blank slate … Continue reading →

Posted in Boyd Gaming, CityCenter, Current, Dining, Downtown, Harrah's, MGM Mirage, The Strip, TV | 5 Comments

Scarlett, Princess of Wrath

Posted on December 4, 2009 by David McKee

As you read this, Rachel Jessee, aka Scarlett, Princess of Magic, former Riviera headliner, is reflecting upon some quality time spent in the Henderson Detention Center. In what may be the best story of 2009, Scarlett threw down on her … Continue reading →

Posted in Current, Entertainment, Riviera | Comments Off on Scarlett, Princess of Wrath

Best Casino Commercial Ever

Posted on December 3, 2009 by David McKee

It seems like if you’ve seen one casino commercial, you’ve seen them all. Recent efforts by M Resort and Green Valley Ranch were state-of-the-art examples of the same old same-old. However, it was impossible not to be stopped in one’s … Continue reading →

Posted in CityCenter, Current, Marketing, MGM Mirage, Sheldon Adelson, Steve Wynn, Technology, The Strip, Tourism, Transportation, TV | 4 Comments

Aria, Vdara discounting already

Posted on December 3, 2009 by David McKee

In its discussions with J.P. Morgan analysts, MGM Mirage has regularly been boasting that Aria’s room rates are running higher (very, very slightly higher) than Bellagio. Being a skeptical fellow by nature, my instinct was that Aria was being propped … Continue reading →

Posted in Alex Yemenidjian, Boulder Strip, Boyd Gaming, Cirque du Soleil, CityCenter, Columbia Sussex, Current, Downtown, Economy, Entertainment, George Maloof, Harrah's, Herbst Gaming, Marketing, MGM Mirage, Sheldon Adelson, Silverton, Station Casinos, Steve Wynn, Tamares Group, The Strip, Tourism | 6 Comments

Quote of the Day

Posted on December 3, 2009 by David McKee

“I really feel sorry for Elin, since me and my wife were at fault for hooking her up with [Tiger Woods]. We probably thought he was a better guy than he is. I would probably need to apologize to her … Continue reading →

Posted in Current, The Strip | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

Gossy-ed out; Peep-less Show; Phat Phantom

Posted on December 2, 2009 by David McKee

According to the latest issue of Las Vegas Advisor, bland-as-butter Palms headliner Matt Goss is not announced for any dates past Dec. 5. However, if Goss has Timberlaked his way across the lounge floor for the last time, S&G believes … Continue reading →

Posted in Colony Capital, Current, Entertainment, George Maloof, MGM Mirage, Planet Hollywood, Sheldon Adelson, The Strip | Comments Off on Gossy-ed out; Peep-less Show; Phat Phantom

Quote of the Day

Posted on December 2, 2009 by David McKee

“Boutique? Vdara is a 57-story, 1,500-room property. It is to boutique hotels what Dolly Parton is to petite women. “If a place can be lavishly understated, Vdara is that. It has abundant artwork and intriguing architectural lines, but no smoking … Continue reading →

Posted in CityCenter, Current, MGM Mirage, The Strip, Tourism | Comments Off on Quote of the Day

We *are* Dubai

Posted on December 2, 2009 by David McKee

“If anywhere is emblematic of the debt-fuelled extravagance of the past decade, it is surely [X], which strove to have the tallest, the biggest and the best of everything.” They’ve just got to be talking about Las Vegas, right? No, … Continue reading →

Posted in Alex Yemenidjian, Architecture, Boyd Gaming, Cirque du Soleil, CityCenter, Colony Capital, Columbia Sussex, Cosmopolitan, Current, Dubai, Economy, Entertainment, Harrah's, International, James Packer, MGM Mirage, Morgans Hotel Group, Plaza, Sheldon Adelson, Station Casinos, Steve Wynn, Taxes, The Strip, Tourism, TV, Wall Street | 6 Comments

CityCenter Fever II

Posted on December 1, 2009 by David McKee

For those very few people who may never have heard of CityCenter, the basic exposition is laid out by Steve Friess. The Los Angeles Times goes heavy on the “urbanization” meme, although it strangely assigned its piece to a travel … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, CityCenter, Current, Entertainment, Harrah's, MGM Mirage, Steve Wynn, TV | 2 Comments

CityCenter Fever

Posted on December 1, 2009 by David McKee

For all the trepidation about $8.5 billion CityCenter and its prospects, today’s opening of Vdara has been enough to set “the Internets,” the blogosphere, the teevees and even traditional newspapers aflame with excitement. After all, who can resist the scrotum … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Bally Technologies, CityCenter, Current, Economy, IGT, MGM Mirage, Morgans Hotel Group, Regulation, The Strip, Tourism, TV, WMS Industries | Comments Off on CityCenter Fever

Chutzpah, thy name is Loveman

Posted on December 1, 2009 by David McKee

Do the bondholders of Harrah’s Entertainment ever get tired of being played for suckers? After being asked to take haircut after haircut — whether in the form of distressed buybacks or deferred repayment — comes a new indignity. While Harrah’s … Continue reading →

Posted in CityCenter, Current, Downtown, Economy, Harrah's, Marketing, MGM Mirage, Mississippi, Planet Hollywood, Regulation, The Strip, Wall Street | 4 Comments

Is Adelson mad? Trump trumped & Kerzner booted

Posted on December 1, 2009 by David McKee

In an interview with Reuters, Sheldon Adelson said Las Vegas Sands might launch operations in India, Thailand and Japan as soon as 2010. Given the ropey financial condition of his company, the fact that Marina Bay Sands will open at … Continue reading →

Posted in Alex Yemenidjian, Atlantic City, Current, Detroit, Donald Trump, Economy, Genting, Harrah's, International, Kansas, Macau, Massachusetts, Neil Bluhm, Penn National, Pennsylvania, Planet Hollywood, Racinos, Regulation, Sheldon Adelson, Singapore, Stanley Ho, Taxes, Tourism, Tribal | 1 Comment

Quote of the Day

Posted on December 1, 2009 by David McKee

“Donald Trump is on CNBC bashing City Center, and saying how horrible it is. Like his track record, especially with casino’s [sic] is worth a shit.” — Brian Fey, on Twitter.

Posted in CityCenter, Current, Donald Trump, MGM Mirage, TV | 1 Comment

Back in Vegas

Posted on November 30, 2009 by David McKee

Just returned from Chicago last night and so far I’m showing few ill-effects [knock wood] from the swine flu vaccine that was administered to me at O’Hare International Airport. (Can’t get one at my doctor’s office, can get one at … Continue reading →

Posted in Animals, CityCenter, Current, Entertainment, Illinois, Pets, Riviera, The Strip, Tourism | 2 Comments

CityCenter dodges bullet

Posted on November 27, 2009 by David McKee

Morton Grove, IL. Lying low while Black Friday sweeps Chicagoland … You will remember that, when CityCenter teetered upon the brink of bankruptcy earlier this year, it was saved by a compromise that put the onus on MGM Mirage for … Continue reading →

Posted in Ameristar, Atlantic City, Cirque du Soleil, CityCenter, Current, Don Barden, Economy, Entertainment, Harrah's, IGT, Illinois, Indiana, International, Kansas, MGM Mirage, Ohio, Penn National, Regulation, WMS Industries | 4 Comments

Quote of the Day

Posted on November 26, 2009 by David McKee

“… a harmonious fusion of dance, acrobatics and live music will focus on the essential humanity of the one superstar whose name will forever be linked with the history of Las Vegas.” — Frank Sinatra, right? No, Elvis Presley, according … Continue reading →

Posted in Cirque du Soleil, CityCenter, Current, Entertainment, MGM Mirage, The Strip | 2 Comments

Sands IPO: bad timing?

Posted on November 24, 2009 by David McKee

If Steve Wynn‘s stock float for his Macao properties hit the Hong Kong bourse at the optimal moment, the tortoise-like progress of Las Vegas Sands‘ offering comes at a price. Specifically, its $1.34 opening price is at the absolute bottom … Continue reading →

Posted in Current, Economy, International, Macau, Pennsylvania, Sheldon Adelson, Singapore, Steve Wynn | Comments Off on Sands IPO: bad timing?

F-bleau: It’s Icahn’s … or is it?

Posted on November 24, 2009 by David McKee

True to form, Carl Icahn sprang when you least expected him to, sneaking up on Penn National Gaming in bankruptcy court to outbid it for the bankrupt Fontainebleau in the first round of bartering (a process that will drag into … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Carl Icahn, Current, Economy, Fontainebleau, IGT, Louisiana, Morgans Hotel Group, Penn National, Pinnacle Entertainment, The Strip, Wall Street | 6 Comments

Quote of the Day

Posted on November 24, 2009 by David McKee

“Pattern of generosity? ‘Oh, hey, listen, we realize our son is having an affair with your wife, maybe some money will help?’ It’s ridiculous,” — cuckolded senatorial staffer Doug Hampton, on the $96,000 in hush money he received from former … Continue reading →

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No Sh!t, Sherlock Dept.

Posted on November 21, 2009 by David McKee

“Motorists are advised to expect delays or find an alternate route.” — Clark County‘s considered opinion of the proper response to a drastic narrowing of the Strip, ending (we hope) Nov. 27. Is this advice likely to be heeded? Not … Continue reading →

Posted in Columbia Sussex, Current, The Strip, Transportation | 1 Comment